Review: Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour – Morgan Matson ****

“Tomorrow will be better.”
“But what if it’s not?” I asked.
“Then you say it again tomorrow. Because it might be. You never know, right? At some point, tomorrow will be better.”

Amy Curry is not looking forward to her summer. Her mother decided to move across the country and now it’s Amy’s responsibility to get their car from California to Connecticut. The only problem is, since her father died in a car accident, she isn’t ready to get behind the wheel. Enter Roger. An old family friend, he also has to make the cross-country trip – and has plenty of baggage of his own. The road home may be unfamiliar – especially with their friendship venturing into uncharted territory – but together, Amy and Roger will figure out how to map their way.

I read this book on a whim. It was sunday, I was home alone and the weather was looking great. So I decided to take the day ‘off’, no cleaning, no tidying, no nothing, just me, a book and a little sunshine.

What immediately stood out for me were the music playlists. I looked the title of the book up on Spotify and sure enough, the entire playlist was there! I’m a pretty fast reader once I get into a book, so I finished chapters faster than it took the parts playlist to play, which meant I skipped a few songs every time. I thought it really added to the story and I’m glad I listened to the music while reading. (something I usually don’t do, I prefer silence)

The moment Roger steps out of his mother’s car, you know what kind of story you’re in for. It was always going to be lovey dovey, but it was never over the top for me. Only the moment where Amy’s checking him out was a bit much. Also, the way she kept putting herself down was frustrating, but I guess that was part of her character.

Other than that, I really liked the story and the characters.
I liked how Amy dealt with her grief because I recognize a lot of myself in her.
I liked Roger’s humor and how he was struggling with himself over Hadley. (Also, something I recognized)

I also liked Amy’s mother. This probably won’t be the popular opinion but let me explain. At first, I couldn’t believe how she could leave Amy behind and was a bit shocked by her reaction to the “detour”. But then it struck me. This is a woman dealing with the loss of the man she loves. Maybe this was just how she managed to keep it together. I have to be honest here, I’m not sure I would find it even remotely funny if my daughter would go on a “detour” when I expected her to come straight to me. You know what? They should have talked…

I feel like that would sum up the whole story: They should have talked to one another. Amy, her mother and her brother. but they didn’t. And I get that. Grief is a black hole and it’s very tough to climb out of that hole once you’re in it.

When I finished the book, all I wanted was to get into my car and start driving.
I guess that means the book resonated with me and succeeded in creating an atmosphere of freedom and independence.